The controversial figure has been vocal about his dislike for Israel and "Zionists," though fiercely denies he is anti-Semitic. In October 2014, he declared his constituency city, Bradford, an “Israeli free zone” in protest of Operation Protective Edge.

At the time, police was called to investigate if his comments made during a speech in front of a Palestinian flag in the nearby city of Leeds were actionable, after numerous complaints were registered at his incendiary comments, but in the end he was not prosecuted for his statements.

Galloway used to be the Respect Party MP for Bradford West but lost his seat in parliament following the UK's national elections in May.

In his concession speech, Galloway emphasized that this is not the end of his political career, adding that "The venal and the vile, the racists and the Zionists will all be celebrating."